Labor empowerment

When President Duterte addresses organized labor today, he is expected to unveil a package of benefits including some financial boost, according to administration officials.

Workers appreciate any augmentation of their income. This, however, must be balanced with the capability of employers to pay. Productivity tends to increase when workers are happy with their compensation, and employers who want their businesses to thrive understand this. But there are limits to what businesses can afford, which cannot be ignored while considering the welfare of workers.

As important as decent compensation for workers is creating an environment that is conducive to job generation. This task of government becomes more challenging in a country that has steadily slipped in competitiveness against many of its neighbors.

Among the basic requirements for an investment-friendly environment are safety, ease in doing business, the rule of law and adequate infrastructure. In all elements, the country is wanting.

The weak rule of law calls for determined action not only on the part of the executive but more so from the judiciary. Some red tape has been cut since President Duterte assumed power and issued marching orders to simplify procedures for transacting with government. But he has to do more, especially in getting local government units to streamline procedures and comply with his order.

Red tape is one of the hindrances to infrastructure development. Another is the security threat posed by the communist New People’s Army, the Abu Sayyaf and other armed groups. On Saturday as the President hosted the ASEAN summit in Manila, the NPA attacked the Lapanday Foods Corp. right in his turf, Davao City, torching trucks and seizing the guns of security guards. The NPA has also burned buses, office facilities and telecommunications towers in extorting “revolutionary taxes” from the private sector, becoming one of the biggest hindrances to investment, job generation and development efforts in the countryside.

The lack of decent employment continues to drive Filipinos to seek jobs overseas, even if it means leaving their families and opening themselves to exploitation and other forms of abuse. Among the best gifts that can be offered to workers on Labor Day today is a commitment to create jobs and livelihood opportunities that would empower them to improve their quality of life.